Bird Reports for June 2007
Saturday 30th June 2007
Lion Creek Nature Reserve, 07:30 - 10:00
1 Hobby, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Linnet, 7 Yellowhammer. Matt and Paul Bruty.
Hanningfield Reservoir 14:30
c.1000 Swift, 6 Red-crested Pochard. John, Matt and Paul Bruty.
Hadleigh Downs, 15:00 to 16:00
1 Little Owl in valley to west of castle. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
River Roach aboard Lady Essex III, 19.00 to 21.00
Several Common Tern were seen carrying fish all heading in the direction of Man made Island, presumably to feed young. 15 Greylag including the albino individual. One new born Common Seal with Mother near entrance of the Roach and 27 Common Seals including 9 pups hauled out at their usual low water haul out in the creeks. Gary Dunn.
Friday 29th June 2007
River Roach, Aboard Lady Essex III 11.00 to 15.00
A fantastic female Hen Harrier on Prey on Rushley Island seen at less than 30 feet away as we drifted down Narrow Cuts, also seen was mMale Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Snipe, Little Egret 37 Curlew in one flock. 2 Red-breasted Merganser at Stambridge and 15 Common Seal including 3 young. A Spoonbill was reported by Mr Robin Mapes (Senior Coxwain of Crouch Harbour Authority) but I did not see this bird. Gary Dunn.
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 18:00
1 male Sparrowhawk took one of 'my' House Sparrows off my gutter, then tried to fly through the garage with it. Paul Baker
Leigh Seafront
Immature Peregrine this morning, this is the second time this week I've seen it here. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Wat Tyler Country Park
19 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Avocet, 1 Green Sandpiper and 3 Turtle Dove seen on or around the scrape this afternoon plus a pair of Shelduck with 6 ducklings. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Thursday 28th June 2007
Chalkwell Park Drive, Leigh, 06:30
1 Little Egret flew over low in a northerly direction. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:10 to 08:30
1 Little Egret, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Reed Warbler (singing), 2 Bearded Tit (heard). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 11:00 to 11:30
1 Clouded Yellow. Andrew Woodhouse (SOG).
Battlesbridge, 19:10 to 19:15
1 Little Egret in river, east of bridge, 2 Blackcap singing in station car park. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Canvey Point 20.00 - 20.30
29 Bar-tailed Godwit (returning flock of non-breeding adults), 3 Little Egret, 2 Common Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, Curlew numbers also increasing 60+ present this evening. Martin Cracknell.
Wednesday 27th June 2007
Battlesbridge, 18:30
1 Little Egret in river, east of bridge. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Tuesday 26th June 2007
Leigh on Sea, 09:00
Marble White butterfly in Burnham Road. Brian Baldock (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 10.00 12.15
3 Little Egret, 2 Yellowhammer, 10 Swift, Turtle Dove, 5 Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting, 5 Common Whitethroat, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Curlew, Shelduck, Sedge Warbler, Green Woodpecker, 8 Swallow (6 were young), 5 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Monday 25th June 2007
Victoria Wharf, Leigh 10:30 to 11:00
1 Brent Goose. David Lee.
Little Waltham, Daisley Lane 10.45
Red Kite on the outer edges of a wood at the back of Daisley Lane in Lt Waltham. It was on the ground near the crop then flew up into the trees. Nicky.
Saturday 23rd June 2007
RSPB Vange Marsh, 07:30 to 08:30
2 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 10 Shelduck (including 8 juveniles), 5 Shoveler, 3 Little Grebe (inc. 1 juv.), 2 Reed Bunting. John Wright (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:40 to 12:00
4 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Hobby, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Spotted Redshank (full summer plumage), 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Bearded Tit, 1 Reed Bunting, 6 Teal, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult), 5 Pochard. 4 Marbled White, 10 Ringlet. John Wright (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 09:30 to 13:00
1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Whitethroat (singing), 2 Blackcap (singing). Neil Chambers
Friday 22nd June 2007
Southend, 16:00
1 male Peregrine Falcon flew past Alexander House, Victoria Avenue. John Wright (SOG).
Thursday 21st June 2007
Leigh on Sea, 17:40
3 Bar-tailed Godwit over the Broadway heading for the estuary. John Wright (SOG).
Belton Hills, 18:40
1 female Sparrowhawk. John Wright (SOG).
Wednesday 20th June 2007
Wat Tyler Country Park
4 adult summer Mediterranean Gull on the scrape this morning. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Lion Creek and Wallasea Wetlands
Little Owl this evening on post by Lion House. Wallasea Wetlands: 4 Avocet, 4-5 pairs Oystercatcher, 1 winter plumage Grey Plover, 6 Curlew. Also good numbers Yellow Wagtail, Corn bunting, Skylark. At least three singing Reed Bunting in oil seed rape crop. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Tuesday 19th June 2007
Baxter Avenue Southend, 09:45 to 09:55
1 Peregrine Falcon (male perched on Portcullis House). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Leigh on Sea, 06:45
1 Peregrine Falcon (female, in usual place). John Wright (SOG).
Southend, End of Aviation Way, 09:30
2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Jay. Butcher.
Hadleigh Downs, 10:00 to 10:05
1 Cetti's Warbler in bushes by farm reservoir at bottom of Chapel Lane. Andrew Woodhouse, Jeff Saward (SOG).
Copt Hall Marshes, 14.00 - 16.30
1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Little Egret, 4 Reed Bunting, 4 Marsh Harrier. M.Jameson, M.Howell.
Southend Seafront, 18:40 to 18:45
1 Mediterranean Gull, adult summer plumage, 200 metres west of Rossi's. John Wright (SOG).
Corringham Road, Stanford, 19.00
1 Hobby over rooftops. Jim Cockram.
Paglesham Churchend, 20:35 to 21:20
1 Little Owl. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Monday 18th June 2007
Hanningfield Reservoir, 08.00
4 Red-crested Pochard (3 drakes) on causeway bank. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend, Baxter Avenue 15:15
1 male Peregrine Falcon with prey. Paul Griggs (SOG).
Sunday 17th June 2007
Coombe Wood, 08:10 to 08:15
1 Hobby hunting low along the east side of the wood, 2 Sparrowhawk circling over the wood. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Benfleet Creek, 10:45 to 12:30
3 Little Egret, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 male Reed Bunting, 15 Reed Warbler, 9 Linnet. 20 Marbled White. John Wright (SOG).
Paglesham, 21:30 to 21:45
1 Tawny Owl, 2 Little Owl. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Lazy Bones Boot Fair
1 Hobby over. Steve Wood.
Saturday 16th June 2007
Wakering Stairs, 10.20
130 Oystercatcher in usual winter roosting place to west of Broomway, 4 Turtle Dove, Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Kestrel, 2 Red Legged Partridge. David Selley.
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 15.00 17.35
3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Little Egret, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Yellowhammer, 12 Common Whitethroat, 2 Turtle Dove, Common Tern, 8 Swift, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, 3 Swallow, 2 Curlew, 3 Shelduck, Corn Bunting, Mute Swan, 4 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Lady Essex III Seal & Wildlife Trip, 18.20 - 20.30
15 Common Seal including two pups, one of which was new born and one about a day old. Male Sparrowhawk flew from Foulness to Potton Island with damaged wing and appeared to only just make the crossing, it came down on the first vegetation on the ground. 3 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret, 2 Avocet, 3 Curlew, 150 plus Canada Geese, Kestrel, Common Tern. Gary Dunn.
Wat Tyler Country Park
Adult summer Mediterranean Gull on the scrape and a pair of Shelduck with 6 ducklings, this is the third pair seen with young this Spring. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Friday 15th June 2007
Southend, 09:50
1 Peregrine Falcon, viewed from Alex House, Vic. Ave., 1 Grey Heron also viewed from Alex House. John Wright (SOG).
Southend, 10:10 to 10:15
1 Sparrowhawk, female, viewed from Alex Hse. Vic. Ave. John Wright (SOG).
Shoebury, 21:15
1 Hobby over North Shoebury Road, just south of Parson's Corner. Don Petrie, Mike Bailey, Claire Chambers (SOG).
Thursday 14th June 2007
Southend, Churchill Gardens, 12:15 to 12:45
1 Reed Warbler, 2 Stock Dove (pair). John Wright (SOG).
Wednesday 13th June 2007
Leigh on Sea, 08:10 to 08:15
1 Painted Lady in Leigh Road, it was there yesterday as well. John Wright (SOG).
Chalkwell Park, 08:20 to 08:25
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. John Wright (SOG).
Belfairs Woods, 09:15
2 Two Treecreepers (together). David Lee.
Baxter Avenue, Southend, 09:15 to 09:20
1 Peregrine Falcon (immature, perched on Portcullis House), 1 Cormorant (flew south). Paul Griggs (SOG).
Hadleigh Downs, 15:00 to 16:00
4 Holly Blue, 2 Comma, 4 Large Skipper, 40 Small Skipper, 20 Meadow Brown, 5 White-letter Hairstreak, 8 Marbled White, 2 Brown Argus. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Belfairs Nature Reserve, Dodds Grove and Surrounding Rides, 16:20 to 17:15
200 Heath Fritillary (very concentrated in places but generally in every sunny glade), 2 Brimstone, 12 Meadow Brown. Vince Kinsler (SOG).
Battlesbridge, 18:30
1 Little Egret in river, east of bridge. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wat Tyler Country Park
A second-summer Mediterranean Gull seen during the afternoon on the RSPB CCTV screen. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Tuesday 12th June 2007
Offshore Near Barrow Sands, From Lady Essex III, 0800 - 1400
3 Fulmar, 2 Gannet including 1 juvenile, 3 Black Tern, flock of 8 Oystercatcher. 1 Harbour Porpoise and 19 Common Seals on Foulness Sands at low tide. Gary Dunn.
RSPB Rainham Marshes, 09.00 - 11.15
7 Little Grebe, good number of Heron, Teal and Shelduck, Little Grebe with chick, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 1 Kestrel, Redshank. 1 Red Fox, 1 Grass Snake and a good number of Marsh Frogs. M Jameson, M Howell.
Southend Seafront, 09:40
1 Mistle Thrush on grass near the cliff lift. David Lee.
Hanningfield Reservoir, 12.30 - 15.00
4 Red-crested Pochard (2 male 2 female), Great Crested Grebes, 2 Black Swan, Mute Swan with young, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Jay in wood. M Howell, M Jameson.
Battlesbridge, 17:45
3 Little Egret in the river, east of bridge. Paul Baker (SOG).
Canvey, Tewke's Creek, 20:00 to 21:00
2 Black-tailed Godwit. Also a Harris Hawk sitting on rooftops behind the seawall!. Jeff Saward (SOG).
Barling Hall Old Gravel Pits 20.15
2 Avocet flew in from potton island direction. T Thorneycroft.
Sunday 10th June 2007
Wat Tyler Country Park, 09:00 to 09:30
3 Bearded Reedling from the Motor Boat Museum Hide. Nicely perched on top of the reeds for about a minute. David Lee.
Hadleigh Marshes, 14:00 to 15:30
1 Reed Warbler. Also quite a few Spotted Chasers, Emperors and Black Tailed Skimmers. Dudley Shayler (SOG).
Rochford Golf Course, 14:30 to 18:00
2 Whitethroat (singing), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Bolts Farm, 15:30 to 16:30
3 Little Egret (R. Roach), 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat. John Wright (SOG).
Wakering, Fleet Head, 09.15 - 11.00
Plenty of Whitethroat singing from the wires, Greenfinch, Goldfinch also. Skylark, Swallow, Green Woodpecker, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Wood Pigeons (why so many this year?). Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Cuckoo, Common Pheasant, Pochard, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Mallard, Coot, Little Grebe, Magpie, Robin. 1 Weasel running across the road several times just after the rough car park on the entrance to the MOD road. John Meredith.
Saturday 09th June 2007
Ashingdon, Hyde Wood Lane, 07.25
7 Yellowhammer 
, 6 Greenfinch, 6 Swallow, about 40 or 50 Swift low over fields. David Selley.
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, 06:30 to 19:50
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Jackdaw, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Hobby (over at 19:50, south). Paul Griggs (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.45 12.15
3 Swallow, 2 Turtle Dove, 21 Common Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Cuckoo, 2 Little Tern, 2 Mute Swan, 4 Reed Bunting, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Common Tern, 4 Little Egret, Shelduck, Corn Bunting, 5 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Wat Tyler Country Park 10.20
Little Egret on webcam. Chris Henry.
Lady Essex III, Rivers Crouch and Roach, 18:00 to 20:20
6 Little Egret, 2 Avocet, 3 Curlew, 3 Greylag Goose (incl. leucistic bird), 14 Ringed Plover, 8 Common Tern, 3 Kestrel. 5 Common Seal. Web Author.
Wallasea Wetlands
Goosander (red head) with Shelduck, 2 Avocet. At least 8 Brown Hare. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Friday 08th June 2007
Priory Park, 09:45
1 Spotted Flycatcher. Don Wildish.
Wickford, 10.00
Little Egret in the River Crouch, Nevendon Road bridge, Wickford. Tina Wing.
Westley Heights, 14.00
Peregrine flying over, mobbed by crows. Gary Clinton.
Benfleet, 15:30
2 Coal Tit feeding on bird nut hanger in Benfleet Road garden. Simon Watson (SOG).
Rayleigh, 16:20
1 Sparrowhawk with prey in talons, south over A127. Paul Baker (SOG).
Behind Waitrose, Eastern Avenue, 19:00
2 Turtle Dove. Don Wildish.
Thursday 07th June 2007
Wat Tyler Country Park, 15.00
2 Hobby, Water Rail preening on pallet under hide. Gary Clinton.
Eastwood, 17:00
1 Sparrowhawk over Tesco/Esso on Rayleigh Road. Paul Baker (SOG).
Wednesday 06th June 2007
Benfleet Creek, 07:00
2 Little Egret in usual place by the Canvey road bridge. John Wright (SOG).
Copt Hall Marshes, 10.00 - 12.00
3 Whitethroat, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Little Egret, 2 Oystercatcher, 6 Yellowhammer. Shelduck. M.Jameson, M.Howell.
Baxter Avenue Southend, 11:35 to 11:40
1 immature male Peregrine Falcon. Paul Griggs (SOG).
East Mersea, 14.30 - 17.00
3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Egret, 2 Redshank, 8 Goldfinch, 4 Linnet, 2 pairs Mute Swan one with 6 Cygnets the other 4 Cygnets. M.Jameson, M.Howell.
Tuesday 05th June 2007
Baxter Avenue Southend, 09:05 to 12:00
1 Peregrine Falcon (immature male perched on Portcullis House). Paul Griggs, Don Petrie (SOG).
Belton Hills, 17:45
1 Painted Lady on vallarium. John Wright (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 18:00
The Amazon or Conure parrot spp. present this evening still at 6pm only. Paul Baker (SOG).
Essex Marina 20.44
Sparrowhawk swooped low over the seawall, put up a Pied Wagtail from between two boats and caught it less than 20 feet from me. It then carried it in its left talon across the Crouch towards the woods at Creeksea. Also a fox was seen on the Sunday seal trip. Gary Dunn.
Monday 04th June 2007
RSPB Rainham Marshes 18.00
Marsh Warbler , immature Spoonbill, drake Garganey, 5 Little Egret. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Mayflower Close, Eastwood, 17:00 to 21:00
I have a mid sized green olive parrot species with white eye patches and crimson flashes on the wing, and possibly red underwings hanging around the garden being mobbed by crows and magpies. Possibly Amazon or Conure spp, I'm open to suggestions or if someone has lost it then get in touch! Paul Baker (SOG).
Sunday 03rd June 2007
Southend, 08:50
1 Hobby over Prittlewell Chase, near Southend High School for Boys. John Wright (SOG).
Fleet Head, 09:00 to 11:00
1 Turtle Dove, 2 Little Egret, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting, 3 Pochard, 3 Common Tern, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Red-legged Partridge. John Wright (SOG).
Paglesham Lagoon, 16:00 to 16:30
1 Barn Owl, 4 Little Egret, 6 Corn Bunting (5 singing males), 8 Whitethroat, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Common Tern (on a raft), 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Cuckoo (singing), 2 Brown Hare. Steve Sanford (SOG).
RSPB Rainham Marshes
Marsh Warbler, Spoonbill, Hobby. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Wallasea Wetlands
Loafing flock of Herring Gulls has grown to 380+ birds with a few Great Black-backed and Lesser Black-backed amongst them - far higher than any winter count. Still some migrant waders with 46 Ringed Plover and 33 Dunlin plus 6 Grey Plover (all but one in winter plumage). A single pair of Avocets and 5 pairs of Oystercatchers but unfortunately no terns on the islands although at least one Ringed Plover on cockle shell island. A pair of Brent remain grazing the algae. Brown Hares seem to have done well with a number of well grown leverets racing along the roads. Jeff Delve (EBS).
Saturday 02nd June 2007 (First Report of Spotted Flycatcher)
Earls Hall Avenue, 03:40
1 Tawny Owl heard. Harry Carmichael (SOG).
RSPB Vange Marsh, 07:00 to 08:30
6 Gadwall, 6 Pochard, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 1 Little Gull (1st sm. seen earlier by SB), 1 Little Grebe. John Wright, Simon Buckell (SOG).
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness, 09.00 - 11.00
2 Cuckoo (see http://www.pbase.com/oldmanny/image/79809348), 2 Kestrel, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker. Peter Mann.
Benfleet Creek, 09:00 to 12:00
41 Black-tailed Godwit (only one in summer plumage), 2 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk (female, Hadleigh Downs), 4 Stonechat (2 pairs - 1 pair seawall, 1 pair Hadleigh Marshes), 1 Tufted Duck (male, borrow dyke), 4 Little Grebe (inc. juvenile), 3 Reed Bunting. 1 Marsh Frog (calling), 1 Slow-worm (Just a shed tail - still wriggling on path). John Wright (SOG).
South Fambridge / Brandy Hole 09.20 11.25
Cuckoo, Turtle Dove, Yellowhammer, 12 Common Whitethroat, 2 Swallow, 6 Reed Bunting, 4 Little Egret, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Little Grebe, 3 Shelduck, Corn Bunting, Little Tern, Common Tern, 2 Swift, 3 Skylark. Ray Fuller.
Wakering Stairs, 11:00 to 12:10
1 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Little Egret, 20 Whitethroat (at least), 1 Chiffchaff. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Priory Park, 11:50 to 12:00
1 Spotted Flycatcher. Neil Chambers (SOG).
Two Tree Island, 12.00 - 15.00
6 pairs of Avocet and 2 Avocet chicks, 5 Shelduck with nine chicks feeding veraciously, 30-40 Ringed Plover, 50+ Oystercatcher, 20 Redshank, 15 Lapwing, 1 Cuckoo, 9 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting. 8 Greenfinch, 100+ Black-headed Gull. David Flack.
Lady Essex III, Rivers Crouch and Roach, 18:00 to 20:30
12 Little Egret, 5 Avocet, 14 Dunlin (four in summer plumage), 2 Ringed Plover. 5 Common Seal. Web Author.
Friday 01st June 2007
Ashingdon, Hyde Wood Lane, 07.15
4 Yellowhammer (1 male with 3 juveniles). David Selley.
Wat Tyler Country Park, 08:05 to 08:35
3 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Reed Warbler (singing), 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing). Neil Chambers (SOG).
Southend, 12:10
1 Hobby flew over Cherry Orchard Lane. Steve Arlow (SOG).
Minster Marshes, 19.30
1 Garganey drake. George Cooper.
Wat Tyler Country Park
2 adult summer Mediterranean Gulls on the scrape this afternoon, seen while working in the RSPB Visitor Centre on the CCTV. Alan Shearman RSPB.
Southchurch Park East
The 6 Cygnets are a month old today and in fine form. As usual we have a big team watching them. Many Reed Warblers in the rushes. Rob Dobinson.
Westcliff (Small Rear Garden)
2 Greenfinch. Janet Hann.